Forthecorpulentnobleman,SirJohnFalstaff,theinninthesmallEnglishtownofWindsoristhebestofallplaces.Herehecanindulgeinexcessivediningandintemperatedrinking,aswellasswaggerandboastabouthisadventures,particularlythoseofanamorousnature.Atpresent,hehasdesignsonthetwoyoungwomen,MistressReichandFluth,who,inturn,leadourpaunchyheromightilybythenose.MistressReichindeedhasmuchtodealwith:herprettydaughter,Anna,hasnolackofsuitorsandtheparentscannotagreeonwhothefutureson-in-lawshouldbe.Anna,however,hasalreadymadeherchoice:shewantstomarryyoungMasterFenton,amatchwhichfailstosuitherparents`plans.Sheplansaclandestineweddingceremonyintheforest.ButitsohappensthatthetownspeoplejoinforcesonthesamenighttosourstoutFalstaff`slifeinWindsorandtodrivehimoutoftown.